Improving lifetime trajectories for vulnerable young children and families living with significant stress and social disadvantage: the early years education program randomised controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundChildren who experience neglect and abuse are likely to have impaired brain development and entrenched learning deficiencies. Early years interventions such as intensive education and care for these children are known to have the potential to increase their human capital. The Early Years Education Program (EYEP) is a new program offered by the Children’s Protection Society (CPS) in Melbourne, Australia. EYEP is targeted at the needs of children who have been or are at risk of being abused or neglected. It has the dual focus of seeking to address the consequences of abuse and neglect on children’s brain development and redressing their learning deficiencies. Our objective is to determine whether EYEP can improve school readiness by conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of its impacts.Methods/DesignThe RCT is being conducted with 90 participants (45 intervention and 45 control). Eligible children must be aged under three years and assessed as having two or more risk factors as defined in the Department of Human Services Best Interest Case Practice Model. The intervention group participate for three years (or until school entry) in EYEP. The trial does not provide any early years education or care to the control group. Data are being collected on outcome measures for participants in EYEP and the control group at the baseline, at yearly intervals for three years, and six months after commencing the first year of school. Outcome measures encompass children’s health and development, academic ability and emotional and behavioural regulation; and quality of parenting practices. The study will evaluate the impact of EYEP on these outcomes, and undertake a benefit-cost analysis of the program.DiscussionFindings from the study have the potential to influence the quality of care and education for the large population of children in Australia who are at risk of abuse and neglect, as well as for children in mainstream childcare. The study will provide up-to-date evidence on the impact of an early years intervention relevant to an urban population in Australia; as well as (to our knowledge) being the first RCT of an early years education and care intervention in Australia.Trial registrationACTRN 12611000768998. Date 22nd July 2011.

Lack of Social Support Raises Stress Vulnerability in Rats with a History of Ancestral Stress

“…In addition, social support is particularly effective in reducing PTSD risk, chronic anxiety and stress 72 while the lack thereof is associated with greater stress response and PTSD risk 73, 74 . In addition, interventions that provide social support can reduce perceived stress during pregnancy 75 , improve early brain development 76 and mental and cognitive health 77 . The present experimental data not only support these findings, but suggest that social stability and support may alleviate the transgenerational transmission of stress and thus potentially improve mental health outcomes.…”

Sustaining Engagement in Longitudinal Research With Vulnerable Families: A Mixed-Methods Study of Attrition

“…It is a difficult task to raise a child in a lone-caregiver family, especially if financial concerns are a daily struggle. Parents who miss appointments, or appear unengaged or not attentive to their children, are at higher risk of attrition (Brock, Kochanska, O’Hara, & Grekin, 2015; Gross, Julion, & Fogg, 2001; Holland, Christensen, Shone, Kearney, & Kitzman, 2014; Jordan, Tseng, Coombs, Kennedy, & Borland, 2014). The qualitative theme of caregiver–child relationship difficulties also suggests that many families were experiencing struggles at this level of Maslow’s Hierarchy.…”

Usage and Quality of Formal Child Care Services Experienced by Infants and Toddlers in Foster and Kinship Care: An Australian Study

“…Child care may strengthen the resources and capabilities of caregivers if programs include significant engagement with parents and other caregivers. Child care is also an important employment support for families, enhancing family economic stability and, in turn, alleviating financial stress (Jordan et al 2014;Mathers et al 2016;Meloy and Phillips 2012;Pears et al 2010). Child care can also provide respite from caregiving, alleviating caregiving stress, strengthening intentions to continue with the placement and, in turn, reducing the risk that a child will experience a placement disruption (Meloy and Phillips 2012).…”

“…Although a child's placement circumstances may prescribe the use of child care for respite, there is little evidence that child care is beneficial for foster and kinship care children with attachment and behaviour problems, and it is unclear whether services that meet the National Quality Standard can respond appropriately to the special needs of foster and kinship care children (Mathers et al 2016). Child care that targets children who experience significant family stress and social disadvantage to support self-regulation and develop their academic potential can aim to deliver sensitive adult support through trauma and attachment informed practice (Jordan et al 2014). The structural features of such specialised programs (e.g.…”